First time renting/househunting guide

foreversomeday

It appears that I will have to seriously start house-hunting.

This isn't a problem, it's something I've actually been looking forward to but in true Amy-fashion keep thinking, oh, time doesn't matter, it stands still for me! So all I've actually done so far is buy papers once every few weeks to get an idea on prices, (ie. whether we can afford to get somewhere decent which isn't the size of an airing cupboard,) actually get a job, and done some slight research on living costs. I think it should be affordable, with definitely 2 of us, highly likely 3 of us and possibly even 4 of us sharing.

Now I've got to another big hurdle which is ... how do you actually go about looking for houses? I've got an idea of price range and location, so what do I do? Do I just sort of walk into an letting agent's high street branch and inform them of my interest? And when am I supposed to do this when working full time? My OH will want to come with me, which makes it even more complicated because the only day we both have off is Sunday. Do they let you view houses at evenings and weekends? Or will I have to take time off work?

Also, we're on holiday from the 24 Aug until the 4 Sept, should I wait until after then or do it as soon as possible?

Does anybody have any tips on sharing a house, tips on finding a house and give me an idea of what to look for/ what questions to ask?


Any help much appreciated!

cowbutt

foreversomeday wrote: »

It appears that I will have to seriously start house-hunting.

This isn't a problem, it's something I've actually been looking forward to but in true Amy-fashion keep thinking, oh, time doesn't matter, it stands still for me! So all I've actually done so far is buy papers once every few weeks to get an idea on prices, (ie. whether we can afford to get somewhere decent which isn't the size of an airing cupboard,) actually get a job, and done some slight research on living costs. I think it should be affordable, with definitely 2 of us, highly likely 3 of us and possibly even 4 of us sharing.

If you're planning on sharing, the first thing is to make sure you have a stable group, and you're all agreed on how much to spend on rent and how the bills will be divided.

Now I've got to another big hurdle which is ... how do you actually go about looking for houses? I've got an idea of price range and location, so what do I do? Do I just sort of walk into an letting agent's high street branch and inform them of my interest?

Yup, or have a look through the yellow pages, or the letting pages of the local newspaper. Phone them up and register, give them details of what sort of thing you're looking for, then they should get in touch as things show up. If the rental market moves quickly, you may need to poll the agents periodically so as to get a choice of the best properties.

And when am I supposed to do this when working full time? My OH will want to come with me, which makes it even more complicated because the only day we both have off is Sunday.

It's rare that agents are open on Sundays. At some point, you and your prospective housemates will need to get along during working hours in order to sign agreements, but you should be able to take care of the initial arrangements all by yourself.

Do they let you view houses at evenings and weekends? Or will I have to take time off work?

Sometimes, depends on the agent. Of course, the more flexible you can be, the less chance there is of you missing out on the home you want.

Also, we're on holiday from the 24 Aug until the 4 Sept, should I wait until after then or do it as soon as possible?

If you find something nice before your holiday, do you have the money to pay rent on it as soon as it becomes available? If not, you may not be able to convince the agent to hold it for you until you get back. On the other hand, if you need to move shortly after 4 Sept, then you may have little choice. If there's no urgency to move, then I'd wait until you get back, but maybe have a casual look around to see what you can expect for your money (and use your holiday to contemplate and discuss your options with your OH).

Does anybody have any tips on sharing a house, tips on finding a house and give me an idea of what to look for/ what questions to ask?

Look for people about the same age range, who you get on with reasonably OK. Ask about things like music, lifestyle, attitudes and see if your lifestyles are likely to clash. Stick with people who are in fairly stable jobs, or who have recently moved to the area for a new job. It's boring, but consider having a cleaning rota (and ask prospective housemates about their view on this). If you don't have a rota, the cleaning will probably be left to you to do, or put up with not being done at all. Ask the agent what (if any) bills are included. If gas/electric are on pre-payment meters, ask if that can be changed (pre-payment is more expensive!). Ask the postcode, so you can ask the council about the council tax bill. Check public transport/commuting links to your place of work. Don't skimp on the rent; a home you feel comfortable in is worth every penny. A home you feel uncomfortable in may cause you other problems. Avoid electric heating - it's expensive and harder to use.

Any help much appreciated!

HTH!

olly300

Depending where you are in the country and how many of you - 2 rather than 3 or 4 - it may be easier to move into a house where there are already people there i.e. look on the gumtree. That way you can view evenings and weekends.

However if there are 3 or 4 of you and you do use a letting agent make sure you ask the letting agent before you do one viewing the cost of ALL their services. If they don't give you a clear answer or refuse to give you a break down of their charges then use another agent.

When I shared I never found a cleaning rota that worked. What worked was people taking responsibility for a particular room however it only worked because no one made a complete mess i.e. if something exploded over the cooker the person whose food exploded cleaned it up within 2 hours not 2 weeks later. Other people I know just all paid for a cleaner. Cleaners will not clean if a place is a complete tip.

I also found sharing with people I didn't know as good friends' before hand better than sharing with people I did know. This is because you and they don't expect each other to bail out on bills and know you have to respect each other to get along.

The main problems with bills always seemed to be the phone bill. The easiest way I ever sorted this out was by blocking external phone calls from a landline. In the days of mobiles this is not a problem. (I know someone who was left to pay a £200 phone bill to Australia because their housemate ran off.)

Prepay meters while more expensive have the advantage that no-one can run off without paying the bills. I suggest if there are pre-payment meters already in the property see how you go for topping them up for about 2 months then get them changed if everyone pays their way.

Also agree amongst you the rules for visitors/over night guests including partners before you move in. Most people don't mind who stays over as long as they know who is going to be around the property, their sleep is not disturbedand the guest doesn't use the bathroom causing them to be late for work.

Most arguments I've seen or been involved in have been about partners or non-payment of bills.

Melissa177

Agents not working on Sundays?

They do in London!